FRANCOM, Wayne Lavar: Talk delivered at funeral by Delma Francom (30 Nov 1991): Francom Family Genealogy

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FRANCOM, Wayne Lavar: Talk delivered at funeral by Delma Francom (30 Nov 1991)

Courtesy of Donna Cornia; retyped and edited slightly by J.F. (Mar 2009)

TALK DELIVERED AT FUNERAL OF WAYNE LAVAR FRANCOM
BY DELMA FRANCOM FORSYTH, NOV. 30, 1991

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Relatives and Friends:

I deem it an honor to be asked by Wayne’s family to talk today and tell you some of the dear memories I have of him during his lifetime.

My father and mother had ten children: seven boys and three girls. Wayne was the seventh child and the fourth son.

I was five years old when Wayne was born; as I remember him, he had such a lot of black hair and real dark brown eyes. I loved to hold him. My mother said he was a good baby, requiring less attention than some of her other children. As he grew up he was quiet, not as noisy and mischievous as the rest of us were. He liked to be with us in all our activities, games and sports of all kinds. He was always ready to play whatever we were playing. He was kind and considerate all during his lifetime, thinking of others and not of himself. He was at all times willing to go the extra mile to help others.

Mother was often called to help with the sick, with our folks and with neighbors. She would leave the children in my care. I found it was best to ask Wayne to come and help me, rather than to say Wayne you do this or that.

He possessed a determined mind at times and was sort of persistent. I remember that we all had certain chores to do and my brother Glen was assigned to take the skim milk out to the calves. One night he did not feel well so mother asked Wayne to take it instead. He did this willingly for several nights. One night the milk was still sitting there and mother asked Wayne to take it out to the calves, he looked up at her and said, “No mother I will not do it.” She replied Wayne take the milk out, but he said again, “I will not do it.” She asked him if he realized he would get a whipping if he didn’t. He answered her this way, “You can whip me, beat me, even kill me, but I will not do it anymore because it is Glen’s chore and I have been doing it for him. But now he sneaks off to bed.” The tears were rolling down his cheeks; I could see how badly he felt so I picked up the bucket and fed the calves. When I came back in he had gone up to bed. Later I peeked in but he was either asleep or pretending to be. I felt he was right and mother must have thought so too, because from that time on Glen took over and fed the calves.

I cannot remember Wayne and I ever having cross words with each other. Of course we had differences of opinions as individuals do.

I married when Wayne was about 12 or 13 years old so I missed seeing him grow up to manhood but I heard both my parents comment that Wayne had not caused them an ounce of worry, and was always compatible and helpful.

I was happy when he decided to go on his mission and spend two years as a servant of the Lord, presenting and teaching the gospel to others to help them improve their lives and gain salvation and exaltation as our gospel promises us if we obey the commandments and live accordingly.

From his mission he gained a greater confidence in himself, was able to express his true feelings about the things that were important to him. He gained a greater knowledge of the gospel and was then able to teach others in the ward classrooms.

He was always active in the church and had a wonderful testimony of its truthfulness. He lived the gospel, he loved the Lord, he loved all those he met and loved his neighbors, and in doing this he obeyed the Lord’s commandments.

Later he met and married Angie Cottle and they had seven children, a lovely family. Angie kept a lovely home and was a good mother and a true helpmate for Wayne.

No man could have been a better husband, or a better father and grandfather then Wayne was; always loving and kind and considerate. His entire family--and I am sure his friends--loved him for his goodness to them, his willingness at all times to aid them if he could.

One “special” memory I have of him was of one day when the children were quite young and I called at their home to visit. Wayne was sitting at the table eating his dinner. He had Joanne on one knee and Lavar on the other and each was helping him eat. As they gave him and spoonful of food he would smack his lips and say to the “That was good, thank you!” Such a sweet memory for me to see how patient he was. And then they would put their little arms around him and love him. What a delightful picture as I know you will all agree.

He was so sweet with our mother. She was in a rest home the latter part of her life and I called there one day and Wayne was there with her. He had picked her up in his arms holding her so tenderly and rocking her and both were singing together. If I remember right it was one of her favorites, “Some Time We’ll Understand.”

He was always so loving and kind to me as I experienced problems, trials, and sorrows. He was always there to give me his support and love. He was willing to do anything he could do to help me. At times he advised me and I always found it for my betterment.

Last month as I was visiting with two friends in California I had a very strong urge to come to Utah to visit. Two days later I flew to Salt Lake. While here I borrowed Farrel’s car and drove up for a long visit with Wayne. We went out to dinner, then visited until after midnight, talking over old times. We remembered our dear parents and long-time friends. We reviewed our genealogy and viewed pictures of childhood and of ancestors. We had a very enjoyable time together. Looking back, I’m glad I followed the urge to come; it has added to my warm memories of Wayne.

I remember a man speaking at a funeral of a local member of our church. He motioned with his hand toward the casket and said, “There lies the body of an honest man.” I thought then and still do that this was a wonderful tribute to pay to anyone. I can today say the same words about Wayne, “He was an honest man!”

I would like to compare life to a ship. As a ship enters a port many are awaiting its arrival, and as it sails away to another port there are many more awaiting its arrival.

So it is with us; as we come to this life our arrival brings joy and happiness to those who are expecting us. While we are here we are tested and we learn and prepare ourselves for the next phase of our lives. Then, after our life here is completed, we leave and are greeted as we enter the next port by our loved ones that have passed on.

I have tried to imagine the joy of this occasion for Wayne and I wish all of you would try to. Also, in your imagination you can visualize his meeting with his dear wife, our father and mother, his four brothers, Angie’s folks, and all others that were dear to him. This is such a rewarding thought to me. It is happiness personified!

I want to thank Wayne’s family for the love and respect they have always shown me. I want you to know I love all of you and hope we can keep in touch.

I ask the Lord to bless you to help you adjust to your lives without your father. May his teachings and examples he gave you stay with you and guide you forward during your lifetime.

I say all these things humbly in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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